Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Vanguard Music and Performing Arts

EIN 23-7073438 · Santa Clara, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

VANGUARD MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATES AND INSPIRES YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH WORLD-CLASS PROGRAMS AND GRASSROOTS INITIATIVES THAT CREATE ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND FOSTER A LIFELONG LOVE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS.

Income
$5.6 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 73%
Employees
43
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$201,506, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.4 million spent. THE SANTA CLARA VANGUARD DRUM & BUGLE CORPS IS A WORLD-RENOWNED, WORLD CHAMPION DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS THAT TRAVELS BETWEEN SIX AND EIGHT WEEKS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN COMPETITIVE FIELD SHOWS AND PARADES. VANGUARD PROVIDES INSTRUCTION FOR EXPERIENCED THROUGH ADVANCED MEMBERS IN THE AREAS OF BRASS, PERCUSSION, AND COLOR GUARD. MEMBERSHIP IS PRIMARILY OPEN TO THOSE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 21. SANTA CLARA VANGUARD OFFERS PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCES WHERE STUDENTS DEVELOP LIFELONG SKILLS IN THE AREAS OF LEADERSHIP, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING. GRADUATES OF THE SANTA CLARA VANGUARD GO ON TO BECOME LEADERS IN ALL INDUSTRIES IN THE WORLD.
  2. $1.1 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE MEMBERSHIP FEES, PARADES AND CONTEST, TICKETS, SALE OF MERCHANDISE AND OTHER REVENUE REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINES 2 - 11, COLUMN B.
  3. $823,339 spent. GRANTS MONEY TO VMAPA TEXAS AFFILIATE FOR PAYROLL AND PAYROLL RELATED EXPENSES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending October 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1970.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.